Drew Rutherford
Encyclopedia
Drew Rutherford was a professional footballer who played most of his career for St. Johnstone F.C.
Although Edinburgh
-born, Rutherford lived most of his life in Fife
and started his professional career at East Fife
. After four years with the Methil
club, he signed for St. Johnstone which was where he remained for most of his playing days.
Playing in the centre of defence for St. Johnstone over a span of nine seasons, he made more appearances for the team than any player who had gone before him and his record number of appearances stood until 2009 when it was surpassed by St. Johnstone goalkeeper Alan Main
. Rutherford was also club captain and a popular player with the club's supporters.
His time at Perth
began in February 1977 and he made a total of 342 appearances (plus five as a substitute
) before leaving the club in May 1985. Despite being a defender, he managed 18 goals for St. Johnstone.
After leaving St. Johnstone he had a short spell with another Fife club, Cowdenbeath
, before retiring from the game.
Rutherford was held in such high regard by St. Johnstone fans that, despite twenty years having passed since his time at the club, a benefit night was organised to raise funds after hearing of his illness. Although Rutherford himself was too ill to attend, his family was represented along with many of his former team-mates.
Rutherford died in 2005 from cancer
.
Although Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
-born, Rutherford lived most of his life in Fife
Fife
Fife is a council area and former county of Scotland. It is situated between the Firth of Tay and the Firth of Forth, with inland boundaries to Perth and Kinross and Clackmannanshire...
and started his professional career at East Fife
East Fife F.C.
East Fife Football Club are a Scottish football club based in the Fife coastal town of Methil...
. After four years with the Methil
Methil
Methil is an eastern coastal town in Scotland. It was part of the former Burgh of Buckhaven and Methil. It lies within a continuous urban area described as Levenmouth.Methil lies geographically between Largo bay to the east and Wemyss Bay to the west....
club, he signed for St. Johnstone which was where he remained for most of his playing days.
Playing in the centre of defence for St. Johnstone over a span of nine seasons, he made more appearances for the team than any player who had gone before him and his record number of appearances stood until 2009 when it was surpassed by St. Johnstone goalkeeper Alan Main
Alan Main
Alan David Main is a Scottish football goalkeeper.Main made his debut in the Highland Football League aged just fifteen and went on to a professional career exceeding twenty years. He has played for Dundee United, Cowdenbeath, East Stirlingshire, St. Johnstone, Livingston, Gretna and Ayr United...
. Rutherford was also club captain and a popular player with the club's supporters.
His time at Perth
Perth, Scotland
Perth is a town and former city and royal burgh in central Scotland. Located on the banks of the River Tay, it is the administrative centre of Perth and Kinross council area and the historic county town of Perthshire...
began in February 1977 and he made a total of 342 appearances (plus five as a substitute
Substitute (football)
In association football, a substitute is a player who is brought on to the pitch during a match in exchange for an existing player. Substitutions are generally made to replace a player who has become tired or injured, or who is not performing well; there may also be tactical reasons such as...
) before leaving the club in May 1985. Despite being a defender, he managed 18 goals for St. Johnstone.
After leaving St. Johnstone he had a short spell with another Fife club, Cowdenbeath
Cowdenbeath F.C.
Cowdenbeath Football Club are a professional Scottish football team based in the town of Cowdenbeath, Fife. They currently play in the Second Division of the Scottish Football League. The club plays its home games at Central Park in the centre of the town which has the unusual feature of a motor...
, before retiring from the game.
Rutherford was held in such high regard by St. Johnstone fans that, despite twenty years having passed since his time at the club, a benefit night was organised to raise funds after hearing of his illness. Although Rutherford himself was too ill to attend, his family was represented along with many of his former team-mates.
Rutherford died in 2005 from cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
.